Biden ed sec: students need abortions

Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, who claims to be a Catholic, said on Tuesday that college students need abortions in order to succeed in life. “Students need access to health care to thrive in school and in life, and that includes reproductive health care,” Cardona said.  READ

Top medical groups urge Biden admin to prosecute journalists exposing child ‘gender transitions’

(LifeSiteNews) – The American Medical Association (AMA), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) sent a letter Monday to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland urging the federal government to take action against journalists who raise awareness of gender transition procedures conducted on minors.

In an October 3 letter first highlighted by prolific “anti-woke” activist Chris Rufo, the three organizations start by requesting investigation of “bomb threats and threats of personal violence against children’s hospitals and physicians across the U.S.” allegedly driven by opposition to surgically or chemically mutilating children under the guise of so-called “gender-affirming care.”

But the letter soon reveals that the groups have a much bigger target in mind than criminal acts by fringe actors.

“The attacks are rooted in an intentional campaign of disinformation, where a few high-profile users on social media share false and misleading information targeting individual physicians and hospitals, resulting in a rapid escalation of threats, harassment, and disruption of care across multiple jurisdictions,” it claims. “Our organizations have called on technology companies to do more to prevent this practice on digital platforms, and we now urge your office to take swift action to investigate and prosecute all organizations, individuals, and entities responsible.”

US Life Expectancy Fell With COVID Vax Rollout

By JAMES AGRESTI 

The portion of the U.S. population fully vaccinated against COVID-19 rose from 0% at the outset of 2021 to 63% by the end of the year. Yet, the CDC recently estimated that average U.S. life expectancy fell by 0.9 years in 2021. This is in addition to a 1.8 year decline in 2020 — and contrary to predictions that COVID vaccines could reverse this carnage.

Nevertheless, a New York Times article by Roni Caryn Rabin blames this “historic setback” mainly on a lack of COVID-19 vaccination and not enough “behavioral measures to prevent infections, such as wearing masks,” especially among “white populations.” Her supposed evidence of this is the following claims from Dr. Steven Woolf, director emeritus of the Center on Society and Health at Virginia Commonwealth University:

While other high-income countries were also hard hit in 2020, the first year of the pandemic, most had begun to recover by last year, he said. …

Those countries had more successful vaccination campaigns and populations that were more willing to take behavioral measures to prevent infections, such as wearing masks, he said, adding: “The U.S. is clearly an outlier.” …

“The white population did worse in 2021 than communities of color, besides Native American and Alaska Natives,” Dr. Woolf said. “I think that’s very telling: It reflects the greater efforts by Black and Hispanics to get vaccinated, to wear masks and take other measures to protect themselves, and the greater tendency in white populations to push back on those behaviors.”

Other than the U.S. being an outlier when it comes to falling life expectancy in 2021, the rest of those claims are demonstrably false.

Newsom signs spate of pro-abortion laws -- including post-birth abortion?

California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed more than a dozen abortion-related pieces of legislation, including a bill to prohibit investigations into fetal deaths “related to or following known or suspected self-induced or criminal abortion.” The bill also states that under the Reproductive Privacy Act “pregnancy losses,” including “perinatal deaths” – which means deaths of babies “around” the time of birth – could not be criminalized or prosecuted.  READ

Dem hearing: men can be pregnant

Dr. Bhavik Kumar, a Planned Parenthood medical director for primary and “trans” care who claims to have performed “thousands” of abortions, testified Thursday at a House hearing titled “Examining the Harm to Patients from Abortion Restrictions and the Threat of a National Abortion Ban.” Men can become pregnant, Kumar testified, “especially trans men.”  READ

CA now ‘sanctuary’ for child ‘trans’ surgery

California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation to block state officials from enforcing other states' laws against subjecting children to “gender-transition” surgeries and drugs. Speaking in favor of the law, Newsom has touted the idea of making California a “sanctuary state” for “transgender” procedures. The law could, among other things, prevent an out-of-state parent from intervening to rescue his or her child from a sexual surgery arranged by the other parent during a custody dispute.  READ

The new SCOTUS term

By Deacon Mike Manno

(The Wanderer) – This week the U. S. Supreme Court starts a new term with one new justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson, who replaced Stephen Breyer at Breyer’s retirement at the close of the court’s last term. Despite the change in cast members, the court maintains its ideological balance, 6-3 in favor of conservatives.

What can we expect? The answer to that question can spawn an entire industry, one that I am surely not qualified to answer. So I go to experts.

On my radio program last week we hosted a real expert on this stuff, the Vice President for Constitutional Government at the Heritage Foundation, John Malcolm. We know he’s an expert because when President Trump nominated him for a high federal post the FBI wanted copies of the programs he had been on. Probably to see if he had attended any school board meetings.

Mr. Malcolm has written a piece for the Heritage Foundation on what he sees as the nine key cases that the Supreme Court will hear during its new term. Now, of course, I am interested in cases that involve religious liberty, incursions into our families, and interferences with our religious practices. Protections of home and family as well as intrusions into how we live Godly lives, such as forcing medical practitioners to assist in abortions, are also key concerns.

In short, anything that would violate the First Amendment of the Constitution that could jeopardize some or all of our ability to worship and serve the Almighty as we believe.

But not all the cases we follow appear to affect our religious rights; but it would be too narrow a guide to use in following cases through the system. Sometimes a case that has nothing to do with the First Amendment could have a tremendous impact if seen in the correct legal light.

For example, a case decided at the end of last year’s court term was West Virginia v. EPA. It was about EPA regulations enforcing the Clean Air Act and a little known doctrine from administrative law known as the Chevron Doctrine. What Chevron articulated was that courts, when reviewing agency actions, defer to the agency’s interpretations of its own enabling statues, the law that establishes the agency, and other laws affecting its operation, unless the agency interpretation is clearly erroneous.

In short, good luck challenging an agency rule or its legal interpretation.

But that changed with the West Virginia case. In that case the court ruled 6-3 that the agency had overstepped its authority (ultra vires) and struck down the EPA’s action as beyond its powers by using what is known as the Major Question Doctrine to conclude that the agency must have “clear congressional authorization” in matters of “extraordinary cases” of extreme importance.

Now that didn’t exactly overturn the Chevron Doctrine but it did announce that automatic judicial deference was not going to let agencies act willy-nilly or in furtherance of a political ideology now in vogue by the current administration. One example that comes to mind are some of Mr. Biden’s new rules redefining “sex” to include gender identity and transgender issues, neither of which is included in the statutory enactments by Congress.

There are several cases on Mr. Malcolm’s top nine which, on first glance, have a closer nexus to the First Amendment and its religious protections than others, but to give you an overview, here are a few selected cases:

The first two involve the question of racial quotas concerning college admissions: Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard College, and Students for Fair Admissions v. UNC (University of North Carolina). For years Asian students have been complaining about prejudice in college — and in some places — high school admissions. Of course that’s not all they were complaining about, and with good cause. There has been a documented increase in hate crimes against Asians, many by other minorities across the nation, so you might expect to see similar plaintiffs in other SCOTUS cases.

But these two cases, both pursued by the same nonprofit claims that affirmative action admission programs in the two schools primarily benefit black and Hispanic applicants at the expense of Asians. Example: It is claimed that, assuming similar credentials, an Asian applicant, with a twenty-five percent chance of acceptance by Harvard, would have a thirty-five percent chance if he were white, seventy-five percent if Hispanic, and ninety-five percent if black.

In 2003 the court had upheld the use of racial considerations in a case involving the University of Michigan Law School, holding that an affirmative program cannot be based on a quota system and must enhance educational benefits which flow from a diverse student body. The case is scheduled for oral argument October 31.

In Moore v. Harper the court will be dealing with the North Carolina legislature’s attempt to draw new congressional districts after the 2020 census. The legislative redistricting map was overturned by the state Supreme Court which concluded the original map included gerrymandered districts and drafted a new map it ordered to be used. While this involves congressional districts in one state, the main focus for most of us involves an election issue that has bedeviled us since the 2020 election when state courts and administrative officials were “changing” election laws and rules to suit “COVID emergency” conditions. Those cases, for the most part were not heard or dismissed by courts when brought.

The crux of this case is the constitutional imperative that only the state legislature may make laws concerning the election of that state’s congressional delegation. A ruling here upholding the legislature’s map would give credence to all the Trump “election deniers” that the 2020 election was “stolen,” and provide a template that all states must use in 2024 election unless, as Mr. Malcolm pointed out, Congress intervenes pursuant to its constitutional power to do so.

In a similar case for which oral arguments are scheduled this week, Merrill v. Milligan, the court will take up the issue of Alabama voting districts which may or may not violate the Voting Rights Act. In this case it is claimed that there is only one black-majority district and that there should be two such districts.

The final case we will examine is from Colorado, 303 Creative v. Elenis. Lorie Smith, the plaintiff, owns a graphic design studio in which she designs and builds websites. She wishes to enter into the wedding market but, as a devout Christian, does not want to build websites for same-sex couples believing same-sex marriages are against God’s will. She wishes to post a notice on her website as to why she will not participate in those weddings.

She is challenging a state law which prevents her from not only refusing to provide that service but also prevents her from posting her reasons for her decision. This law, incidentally, is the same law that Baker Jack Phillips, of Masterpiece Cakeshop, tangled with over his refusal to provide a “wedding” cake for a same-sex nuptial. Phillips later won his case before the Supreme Court; however, the basis of the ruling was the inherent bias against his religion displayed by the state officials.

He, incidentally, was charged again when he later refused to bake a cake celebrating a man’s transition to a woman. Mr. Malcolm pointed out to our radio audience that while Masterpiece was not decided on the issue of religious liberty and 303 Creative won’t be either, but on the issue of her free speech rights which may have been violated by being compelled to deliver a message she doesn’t wish to make and preventing her from delivering a message she does wish to make.

“Even though it will be decided on free speech grounds it will obviously have real repercussions because religious speech is, after all, a form of speech,” he said.

The article considers only nine of the 25 cases the court has accepted thus far. But there is more coming as Mr. Malcolm estimates the court will ultimately adjudicate a total of 65 cases this term.

Court watching will be fun but also frustrating; the decisions in many of the key cases will not come until near term’s end next spring.

(You can reach Mike at: DeaconMike@q.com and listen to his radio program at https://iowacatholicradio.com/faith-on-trial/.)

Sen. Warren's Anti-Choice Record

By Catholic League communications director Michael P. McDonald:

No lie told by Senator Elizabeth Warren will ever top her effort to pass herself off as a Native American; however, her claim that she is pro-choice is a close second. While she may present herself as a champion of women's rights, Warren does not believe they have a "right to choose." In her rhetoric, voting record, and zeal for targeting pregnancy resource centers, she reveals a deep conviction that abortion is the only option.

Ever since the leak of the Dobbs v. Jackson draft opinion on May 2, 2022, Warren has taken to the warpath. Without missing a beat, Warren immediately took to Twitter declaring, "It's time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard."

Notice that she does not call on people who support a "right to choose." Her entire Twitter profile is littered with her bombastic defense of abortion, but a keen observer would discover that she almost never mentions a woman's "right to choose." Any time she talks about this issue, she often talks about abortion but gives scant mention of "choice."

That is because, in her mind, there is no choice. The decision has been preordained. She does not believe there could ever be an alternative to abortion.

Warren's enthusiasm for abortion is not just limited to her bellicose rhetoric. Her voting record exposes an unadulterated lust for abortion.

In 2016, Warren earned a 100 percent voting record from NARAL Pro-Choice America. Again in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, NARAL's most recent scorecard, Warren earned 100 percent each time.

It is not just NARAL that gives Warren top marks. Planned Parenthood Action Fund has also recognized her commitment to the pro-abortion cause. She earned a lifetime score of 100 percent.

While Warren is a consistent pro-abortion vote, her opposition to the pro-life side is equally unfaltering. Warren has earned an "F" from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, never once voting in favor of their recommendations. Similarly, Warren has received equally poor scores from the National Right to Life Committee. In the 114th, 115th, 116th, and 117th Congresses, Warren earned a zero percent score.

While Warren's rhetoric and voting record clearly show a zeal for abortion, her monomaniacal obsession with targeting pregnancy resource centers demonstrates how little she actually cares about giving women a choice.

On September 19, Warren, along with six of her Senate colleagues, sent a letter to Heartbeat International suggesting the pregnancy resource center might use patient information to turn expecting mothers over to the authorities. While Heartbeat International only provides world class care to pregnant women, Warren accused the organization of "luring pregnant people…to affiliate [crisis pregnancy center] facilities by using a variety of false and misleading tactics."

Repeatedly, Warren has railed against pregnancy resource centers. On August 5, she gave a speech from the Senate Floor to call for a "crackdown on deceptive and misleading practices used by many crisis pregnancy centers." Prior to this, on June 23, Warren introduced legislation that would direct the Federal Trade Commission to issue rules to prohibit "deceptive or misleading advertising" and collect penalties from pregnancy resource centers.

While Warren was speaking and acting with naked hostility to pregnancy resource centers, pro-abortion fanatics attacked approximately 70 of them. It might be a stretch to say that Warren directly inspired these attacks; nevertheless, she helped set a tone that encouraged radicals to vandalize and firebomb these centers.

Ultimately, Warren's animosity for pregnancy resource centers, along with her voting record and rhetoric, stem from her belief that women should not have a choice. She does not see abortion as one option, but rather it is a predetermined decision.

She is, without a doubt, the most anti-choice member of the United States Senate.

Federal court protects school’s right to hire faithful teachers

WASHINGTON — A federal court in Indiana today ruled that the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and its schools are free to choose leaders who will uphold their core religious teachings. The ruling in Fitzgerald v. Roncalli High School and Archdiocese of Indianapolis is the latest in a string of court victories protecting religious institutions from government interference in internal religious matters.

At Roncalli High School, education goes beyond the basic subjects by forming students’ hearts and minds in the Catholic faith. To that end, Roncalli asks its teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors to sign contracts agreeing to uphold Catholic Church teachings in both word and deed. In 2018, Shelly Fitzgerald, the Co-Director of guidance at the school, confirmed to the school that she had entered a same-sex union in violation of her contract and of Catholic teaching. The school then declined to renew her contract for the following year. Ms. Fitzgerald sued the school and the Archdiocese, alleging that its desire to uphold the Catholic faith is a form of discrimination. Today, the federal court threw out her lawsuit, stating that the Constitution protects Roncalli’s decision, because “Roncalli entrusted Fitzgerald to teach the Catholic faith and carry out Roncalli’s religious mission.”

“The Supreme Court has long recognized that religious organizations have a constitutional right to hire individuals who believe in their faith’s ideals and are committed to their religious mission,” said Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel at Becket. “This is a common-sense ruling: Catholic schools exist to pass on the Catholic faith to their students; to do that, they need freedom to ask Catholic educators to uphold Catholic values.”

The ruling is the latest in a string of court decisions protecting the hiring decisions of the Archdiocese and other religious schools. In July 2022, a federal appeals court in Chicago threw out a similar lawsuit by another guidance counselor at Roncalli High School in Starkey v. Roncalli High School and Archdiocese of Indianapolis. In August 2022, the Indiana Supreme Court did the same in Payne-Elliott v. Archdiocese of Indianapolis, explaining that the “Constitution encompasses the right of religious institutions to decide for themselves, free from state interference, matters of church government.” These rulings build on Supreme Court precedent set in other Becket cases, including the 2020 ruling in Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru and the 2012 ruling in Hosanna-Tabor Lutheran Evangelical School v. EEOC.

“Today is a great victory for not only the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, but for every religious institution seeking to instill their faith in the next generation,” said Luke Goodrich, senior counsel and vice president at Becket. “Teachers, counselors, and other school staff have an important role in students’ lives. We are glad the court decided to let Roncalli decide for itself who should have that responsibility

Newsom signs spate of pro-abortion laws -- including post-birth abortion?

California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed more than a dozen abortion-related pieces of legislation, including a bill to prohibit investigations into fetal deaths “related to or following known or suspected self-induced or criminal abortion.” The bill also states that under the Reproductive Privacy Act “pregnancy losses,” including “perinatal deaths” – which means deaths of babies “around” the time of birth – could not be criminalized or prosecuted.  READ

GOP promises federal investigation of FBI

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-NY, the third-highest ranking Republican in the House, said the GOP will launch a federal investigation into the FBI over its seeming transformation into a weapon of the political Left. "In a House Republican majority … the subpoenas are coming,” Stefanik said. “Jim Jordan has already requested Attorney General Merrick Garland preserve the documents, and they will be called to testify because we will ensure that the FBI is accountable to the American people."  READ

Man charged in shooting of elderly pro-lifer

Richard Harvey, who admitted to a reporter that he had shot an 84-year-old pro-life volunteer in Michigan, has been charged with felonious assault, careless discharge of a weapon causing injury, and reckless use of a firearm. The shooter had previously told an interviewer that he accidentally shot the woman, who was going door-to-door for a pro-life cause, while “clubbing” her clipboard away with his rifle. The victim claims he shot her in the back as she was leaving. 

DOJ pressed for abortion terrorism records

Former Vice President Mike Pence’s Advancing American Freedom is leading a conservative coalition in demanding Justice Department records about an ongoing rash of violence against pro-life organizations. CatholicVote is among the groups that filed the Freedom of Information Act request. According to CatholicVote trackers, at least 73 pro-life organizations and 83 Catholic churches have been attacked since May.  

Federal judge boycotts Yale clerks

U.S. Circuit Judge James Ho, appointed by former Republican President Donald Trump, has vowed not to hire any clerks from Yale Law School due to students’ infamously “intolerant” behavior. Yale "not only tolerates the cancellation of views — it actively practices it,” said Ho in a speech delivered at a Federalist Society conference in Kentucky on Thursday. “I don't want to cancel Yale, I want Yale to stop canceling people like me." Ho encouraged other judges to follow suit and reject clerks from the school

Trans activism desecrates Catholic art

 An LGBT organization has put on a display at the York Art Gallery in England that includes a perverse interpretation of a painting of St. Agatha by Bernardo Cavallino (1616-1656). “St Agatha is usually shown with her severed breasts on a plate to represent her martyrdom,” reads a placard attached to the painting. “Artwork of saints like this speaks to the queer experience of pushing against social norms to live euphorically as ourselves.”